When Is A Bradenton Property Owner Responsible For A Crime That Happens On Their Property?
Being the victim of a crime in Bradenton is traumatic enough. Discovering that it could have been prevented makes it even harder to accept. When Pinellas County property owners fail to take reasonable steps to protect the people on their premises, they can be held responsible for the harm that results.
Our experienced Bradenton personal injury lawyer explains what you need to know about negligent security and types of property owner negligence that can support a civil claim.
Bradenton Property Crimes That Can Result from Property Owner Negligence
Bradenton negligent security claims arise when a property owner fails to maintain adequate safety measures and a foreseeable crime occurs. The keyword is foreseeable. Florida courts do not expect property owners to prevent every possible criminal act, but they do expect them to respond reasonably to known risks.
According to criminal justice profiles for Pinellas County, nearly 3,500 violent crimes occur in our area each year. Adequate security measures matter. When property owners are negligent, crimes that can happen as a result include:
- Assault and battery, which are common in parking lots and garages.
- Armed robbery at convenience stores, ATMs, or retail locations.
- Sexual assault in hotel rooms and condo or apartment complexes.
- Shooting or stabbing incidents at bars, nightclubs, or concert venues.
A prior history of similar crimes on or near the property is one of the strongest indicators that a new incident was foreseeable and that the owner had a responsibility to act.
Holding Negligent Pinellas Property Owners Accountable for Your Injuries
When a Pinellas County property owner fails to take reasonable precautions, they may be liable in a negligent security claim when a crime happens and causes you injuries. Common forms of property owner negligence that support an injury claim include:
- Broken or inadequate lighting in parking areas, stairwells, hallways, and entry points.
- Malfunctioning locks, broken entry gates, or unsecured access points.
- Absence of security cameras or non-functional cameras.
- Failure to employ security personnel at venues or properties with a known history of violent incidents.
- Ignoring prior complaints from tenants, guests, or employees about suspicious activity or safety concerns.
- Failure to warn visitors of known dangers or ongoing security issues.
- Inadequate background checks on employees who have unsupervised access to guests or residents.
Filing a negligent security claim through the Hillsborough County Civil Court can help you hold the property owner accountable and provide compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. To build the strongest possible case, get legal help right away.
Contact Our Experienced Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you were the victim of a crime in Pinellas County and suspect negligent security is to blame, contact the Lavely Law Firm. We help victims and their loved ones get a sense of justice and the compensation needed to recover from their losses.
Filing this type of claim is never easy, so don’t go it alone. For caring, comprehensive legal service, request a consultation with our experienced Bradenton personal injury lawyer today.
Sources:
edr.state.fl.us/content/area-profiles/criminal-justice-county/pinellas.pdf
hillsclerk.com/court-services/county-civil
